Driver demerit system imminent

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bodhi

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http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=181&art_id=vn20080114115235250C363760

The demerit traffic system is to be introduced in the Western Cape and elsewhere once problems with a pilot project have been sorted out.

Western Cape Transport and Public Works spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the demerit system would be tested in Pretoria around April this year and, if successful, would come into operation throughout the country.

"The system will only be rolled out to all the nine provinces after all hiccups in Pretoria are identified and corrected," he said.

Under the demerit system drivers are given 12 points each and will lose points if caught speeding, driving without a driver's licence, not wearing a safety belt, not having working car lights, drinking and driving, running over a pedestrian, failing to stop at a stop sign or using a cellphone while driving.

Driver's licences will be suspended if they lose the 12 points in a year and, if a driver receives three suspensions from the traffic department, the licence will be cancelled.

Ntabazalila said the government aimed to encourage drivers to abide by the rules of the road.

Meanwhile, Gary Ronald, spokesperson for the AA, remained optimistic about the demerit system.

"We are certainly of the belief that the system will have more benefits than negatives once it is applied and implemented throughout the country.

"It will generally ensure that people behave better on South African roads," he said.

Ronald said problems could arise when drivers lost their licences.

"But the bigger focus is on changing the behaviour of drivers and creating responsible road users.

There is no reason why it shouldn't work in SA," Ronald said.
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Under the demerit system drivers are given 12 points each and will lose points if caught speeding, driving without a driver's licence, not wearing a safety belt, not having working car lights, drinking and driving, running over a pedestrian, failing to stop at a stop sign or using a cellphone while driving.
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:eek::eek::eek: Qualaieit jernilizm
 
The idea in principle is a brilliant one. I am however concerned that with so much backlog and lack of inefficiency with law enforcement in this country... this is could just be another waste of money.

Not to condone unsavoury behaviour by motorist (more so taxi drivers)... but if we could just get our law enforcers efficient in other more urgent aspects of law enforcement like crime prevention ... then we'll be well on our way to implement any of this brilliant ideas...
 
"The system will only be rolled out to all the nine provinces after all hiccups in Pretoria are identified and corrected," he said.
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So basically everyone in Pretoria is screwed. All the drivers over there would be casualties of government incompetence until the trial is over :D

Under the demerit system drivers are given 12 points each and will lose points if caught speeding, driving without a driver's licence, not wearing a safety belt, not having working car lights, drinking and driving, running over a pedestrian, failing to stop at a stop sign or using a cellphone while driving.
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Wtf :eek:
 
Under the demerit system drivers are given 12 points each and will lose points if caught speeding, driving without a driver's licence, not wearing a safety belt, not having working car lights, drinking and driving, running over a pedestrian, failing to stop at a stop sign or using a cellphone while driving.
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bugger. Just when I thought that would be OK.

Is that the entire list? What about red lights? stop streets? etc?
Are all offenses equally weighted, are they cumulative?
For example would one score more for running over a pedestrian while driving a car with no lights, talking on one's cell and not wearing a seatbelt? Like a Super4-Pick?
 
They are supposed to be introducing it next year only. They would need time to fix all those unfair speed cameras first.
 
Do they just haul this story out once a year? Do they even change the content at all?

using a cellphone while driving
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As long its OK for me to fiddle with my radio while driving. I'm sure women will be glad to know there is also no law specifically prohibiting grooming while driving.
 
cmj001 said:
The idea in principle is a brilliant one. I am however concerned that with so much backlog and lack of inefficiency with law enforcement in this country... this is could just be another waste of money.
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Let's hope so.
I'm tired of government thinking going in the wrong directions. We don't need stricter rules for the road.

The economy, crime, unemployment problems need to take preference. Their thinking is as always completely screwed.
 
you get a bonus 100 points if you don't have licence
 
Under the demerit system drivers are given 12 points each and will lose points if caught speeding, driving without a driver's licence, not wearing a safety belt, not having working car lights, drinking and driving, running over a pedestrian, failing to stop at a stop sign or using a cellphone while driving.

Driver's licences will be suspended if they lose the 12 points in a year and, if a driver receives three suspensions from the traffic department, the licence will be cancelled.
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So how many can I take out with 12 points? :D

Driver's licences will be suspended if they lose the 12 points in a year and, if a driver receives three suspensions from the traffic department, the licence will be cancelled.
Click to expand...

Oh wait, what's my pedestrian quota for 36 points? :D
 
Hmm.. I would love to see this been implemented on taxi drivers. This will just be enforced on the "can pay`s" as with all the fines presently.

As for the unfair cameras. Surely with this system having direct implications on many people needing licenses to be able to do their work, the camera sites could be disputed. Considering most of them have been sited to generate income, more than to keep a unsafe area safe.

With removing peoples licenses you will just force them to lift the level of their disobedience and drive regardless, leading to issues with insurance payments when one of them hits your merc.
 
noxibox said:
As long its OK for me to fiddle with my radio while driving. I'm sure women will be glad to know there is also no law specifically prohibiting grooming while driving.
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Saw a metro policewoman typing a sms while driving on the N1 between Rigel and Atterbury. Will she deduct points for herself, or must I do a citizens arrest first?
 
Road runner said:
Hmm.. I would love to see this been implemented on taxi drivers. This will just be enforced on the "can pay`s" as with all the fines presently.

As for the unfair cameras. Surely with this system having direct implications on many people needing licenses to be able to do their work, the camera sites could be disputed. Considering most of them have been sited to generate income, more than to keep a unsafe area safe.

With removing peoples licenses you will just force them to lift the level of their disobedience and drive regardless, leading to issues with insurance payments when one of them hits your merc.
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Again with the "taxi driver" argument.
The vast majority of people do not drive according to the rules.
People also take a so-what approach to fines.
Yes - taxi drivers are bad, but so are most drivers on the road.
There are plenty threads in this regard.

As for cameras? Hell, put them on every square centimeter of roadway.
Our roads are a raceway - thousands are killed every year, our death toll on the road is amongst the highest in the world, and people complain about not being allowed to go faster??

/me shakes head in bafflement
 
This morning a bus, going 140 in the left line, almost forced a X-Trail to go off-road. So, no, it's not just taxi drivers. The problem, IMO, is that people see that nothing is done to taxi and bus drivers, so why should they stick to the rules, if that means getting run off the road?

A more practical law, would be one that tests your cars road worthiness every x years.
 
Nod said:
This morning a bus, going 140 in the left line, almost forced a X-Trail to go off-road. So, no, it's not just taxi drivers. The problem, IMO, is that people see that nothing is done to taxi and bus drivers, so why should they stick to the rules, if that means getting run off the road?

A more practical law, would be one that tests your cars road worthiness every x years.
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While not in itself a bad idea - I have seen brand new vehicles driving way over the speed limit with no regard for anyone else.

A more practical law would be to do psychological evaluations of people and base the granting of a license on that.... *



* only 1/2 in jest.
 
When will the idiots understand that one cannot suspend someones license if they don't have a farking license in the first place.

One should be allowed to run over at least 6 pedestrians with those 12 points. 8 if you have BEE credentials.

/me is in a sour mood today
 
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